Report a dangerous structure (office hours only)

Please note that any report made from this page out of office hours won't be seen until the next working day.

'Out of hours' dangerous structures should be reported through the main switchboard number 01664 502502.

Where a building is in such a condition that it may place people in danger, the Borough Council have legal powers to investigate, and to require that it be made safe. Typical examples would be walls that are leaning over or unstable, and roof tiles which are being blown off in high winds. In order to be considered dangerous, a building must actually pose a threat of causing harm to a person.

Buildings which are simply dilapidated or run down would not necessarily therefore be considered dangerous, and minor items (damaged timber fencing panels for example) are also unlikely to qualify. Where we investigate a report of a dangerous structure, and agree that action is required, this will usually take one of two forms;

If the building is so dangerous that we consider immediate action necessary, we will employ contractors to make it safe straight away. In many cases this will take the form of fencing-off the affected area to allow remedial work to be carried out later by the owner.

Where the building is considered dangerous - but not immediately so, we will normally try to contact the owner and require that the work be made safe within a reasonable period of time. If the owner fails to do so, we can apply to a Magistrates Court for an order allowing us to do so instead.

Note that in both the above cases we can only require the minimum amount of work necessary to make the building safe, and will attempt to recover any costs we incur in doing so from the building owner. If you are a building owner and are concerned that part of your property may be dangerous, please contact us and we will be happy to offer you advice free of charge.